A popular destination to volunteer

Volunteer shifts must be scheduled as far in advance as possible. Each animal area has a maximum number of volunteers it can accommodate during each shift. To get started, please visit volunteers.bestfriends.org or contact the Sanctuary Volunteer Department at volunteers@bestfriends.org or 435-644-2001, ext. 4119.

We truly appreciate the wonderful work our volunteers do towards making a difference in the animals’ lives and would love to welcome you as a volunteer.

Piggy Paradise Volunteer Projects

Here's your chance to discover the intelligence, humor and charisma of our wonderful potbellied pigs! While volunteering, you may be asked to help with any of the following tasks:

Chopping veggies and preparing feed

Feeding and watering

Cleaning feed buckets and pans

Restocking feed (veggies and pellets)

Cleaning up the hay and feed storage areas

Poop scooping and raking

Digging and filling mud holes

Cleaning pig houses

Fence and facility maintenance

Grooming pigs

Walking pigs

Socializing with the pigs

Piggy Paradise Safety Guidelines

To keep you and our animal friends safe, here are a few things that you should be aware of before volunteering:

Closed-toe shoes are required for volunteering in all animal areas. Sneakers or hiking shoes are the preferred footwear and shoes must have a heel strap at minimum. Clog type shoes are not permitted as shoes could fall off while walking animals, climbing ladders or performing other volunteer tasks.

You must be at least 12 years of age to volunteer in Piggy Paradise.

You cannot volunteer in Piggy Paradise if you are suffering from a cold, flu, or upper respiratory infection.

If you have pigs at home, please bring clothes and shoes with you that have not been worn around your animals at home.

Long pants are strongly recommended for volunteering.

Please wear clothing appropriate for working outside in all types of weather including rain, snow, extreme heat and cold.

Please avoid any work or activity that might cause or exacerbate back, knee, or other pain; physical injuries or limitations; or allergies. Please consult with your doctor about precautions for your particular condition.

Never enter an area containing an animal without permission.

Never approach an animal without checking with a staff member first.

Never run up to or approach an animal in a quick manner.

Don’t feed the animals treats without prior approval; some of the animals are on special diets or can be food-aggressive.

Do not place your face in harm’s way. If you put your face too close to an animal, he/she may bite or turn and jump quickly, causing injuries.

As a volunteer, you may come in contact with hay, dust and other allergens.